WORLD DRUM CORPS HALL OF FAME NOMINATION SUBMISSION FORM

Name of Nominee Mr. Joseph CourtneyHome Phone (312) 318-2469
Email ax

Address 312 Oaklawn AvenueCity Elmhurst State Illinois
Sponsor's NameRoman BlenskiHome Phone (414) 327-2847
Date SubmittedNovember 5th, 2013Check One: Brass___Percussion___ FieldX or,
General (Directors, Administrators, Judges, etc.)X

Performance History: Junior and Senior Corps

NameBeau Geste Brigade Sr.Dates1959PositionColor Guard

Name Winfred Scott Rebels Sr.Dates 1960 – ‘63Position French Horn

Name Berwyn Blue Knights Jr.Dates 1963 – ’65 Position Baritone

Name Vagabond Sr. GuardDates 1959 – ’60Position Color Guard

Instructional History: Junior and Senior Corps

NameSt. Alexis VikingsDates1963 –’65 CaptionMarching

Name NorthernairesDates 1964CaptionColor Guard

Name Vaquero GuardDates 1965 – ‘67CaptionColor Guard

Name Post 187 GuardDates 1965CaptionColor Guard

NameVFW Post 2048 GuardDates1965 – 1971CaptionColor Guard

Name Vaqueros CorpsDates 1967 – ‘79CaptionCorps’ Director

Administration History

NameIllinois All-AmericanDates1965 – ’75PositionJunior Vice Commander

NameMidwest Color Guard CircuitDates1970 – ‘90PositionExecutive Board of Directors Member

NameIllinois Drum and Bugle Corps AssociationDates1974 – ‘80PositionPresident of Executive Board

NameMid America AssociationDates1978 – ‘82PositionMember of Board of Directors

NameDrum Corps MidwestDates1978 – ‘86PositionMember of Board of Directors

NameCentral States Judging AssociationDates1980 -PresentPositionMember of Board and Treasurer

NameAmerican Legion Uniform GroupsDates 1984Position Chairman

Commission Dept. of Illinois

NameDrum Corps InternationalDates1993 - 2010PositionDirector of Solo/Ensemble Warehouse Manager

NameMidwest Percussion CooperativeDates2010 -PresentPositionVice Chairman/Contest Director

Judging History

Assoc.Illinois All-AmericanDates1965 – ’75CaptionM&M + Timing and Penalty

Assoc.Indiana H.S. Color Guard CircuitDates1980’sCaptionTiming and Penalty

Assoc. Central States Judging AssnDates 1980 - PresentCaptionM&M + Timing and Penalty

Assoc.Midwest Color Guard CircuitDates1980 – 1989CaptionTiming and Penalty

Assoc. Winter Guard InternationalDates 1985 - PresentCaptionTiming and Penalty

Assoc. Drum Corps MidwestDates 1980 - 2007Caption Contest Director

Assoc.Indiana PercussionDates1980 – PresentCaption Timing and Penalty

Assoc. Drum Corps InternationalDates 1993 - 2010CaptionContest Director

SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENTS BY NOMINEE

(Individual Championships, Drum Corps Innovations, Other Drum Corps Activities)

  • Mr. Courtney was the recipient of a CERTIFICATE for OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY ACHIEVEMENT in 1979 from United States President, Jimmy Carter
  • He received the MIDWEST COLOR GUARD CIRCUIT APPRECIATION AWARD in 1980
  • Joseph Courtney received the MIDWEST COLOR GUARD APPRECIATION AWARD also in 1986
  • Joseph Courtney was inducted into the CENTRAL STATES JUDGING HALL OF FAME in 2006
  • He received the CENTRAL STATES JUDGING MOST IMPROVED VISUAL AWARD in 2006
  • In 2008 Mr. Courtney was given an award by the OTSEGO FRIENDSHIP DAYS COMMITTEE AWARD in appreciation for his 20 years of contest directing.

SPONSOR'S COMMENTS: Why do you feel this Nominee should be selected to be in the WDCHOF.

I am in complete awe of Mr. Joseph Courtney’s contribution to the drum corps community. He has been in the trenches year around in drum corps, color guard, judging, and administration for almost his entire life since 1959. He is among a family of brothers and sisters who all were /are eager and faithful volunteers for the betterment, especially of youth. He has never had the time to marry or raise a family because he is so completely absorbed in using his time and talents serving our future adult leaders who come from all over America, he has no other time!

When you note the huge list of awards, appreciation, and accolades, it is truly stunning and overwhelming. Even though I have known Joe personally for many years, I still cannot get over his vast knowledge, service, and achievements, and frankly am amazed. His organizational skills of making sure that every detail is covered during a competition , sad to say, are many times taken for granted. He is the symbol of, “Everything is all right.”

His organizing and presiding over Drum corps International’s I&E (Solo-Ensemble) contest from 1993 – 2010 benefitted thousands of our young musicians and guard people. The contests always ran smoothly.

Joe Courtney’s presence as a Contest Director, Tabulator, or Judge, is also a mark of his integrity, which is very important in our competitive environment.

Equally amazing is that he continues today at a quick pace still judging marching bands, color guards, winter drum lines, including his chairmanship of the Midwest Percussion Cooperative.

We in the activity of serving youth owe Mr. Joseph Courtney much for what he has done and continues to do for us and the young people involved. His caring, sincere, and unpretentious demeanor makes him a role model for us all. Therefore I am proud and honored to nominate this fine gentleman for the position of being a member of the 2012 World Drum Corps’ Hall of Fame.

Sincerely,

Roman Blenski

414-327-2847

From: Joseph P. Courtney [mailto:
Sent: Tuesday, January 21, 2014 4:59 PM
To:
Subject: Re: Hall of Fame Letter/Information 2

Roman, I saw one more correction to make. I was the Warehouse Manager not the Merchandising Manager.

Again, along with this correction, I give you permission to enter my name into nomination for Drum Corps Associate’s World Hall of Fame

Joe Courtney